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Former U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, now head of the Motion Picture Association of America, was honored by he Georgia First Amendment Thursday at its annual Weltner Freedom of Information event.

"Our best films and television shows often say what urgently needs to be said," Dodd said. He noted Hollywood's long history of tackling "lofty" topics, ranging from when Charlie Chaplin lampooned dictator Adolf Hitler to the true story of "Spotlight."

Dodd saluted the state's robust filming industry, bolstered by aggressive tax policy. He also saluted Gov. Nathan Deal's veto of religious liberty legislation.

"We don't share a political party," Dodd said, "but I admire him tremendously."

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Inventor Lonnie Johnson stands with his Super Soaker water guns at JTEC Energy on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Atlanta. Johnson, a former NASA engineer, is currently working on a new energy technology through his company’s JTEC device that turns thermal heat into usable energy. (Natrice Miller/AJC)